“Too late,” Caleb Maddox rumbles from her other side, looking amused.
I should intervene. This is my meeting, my event, and I need willing volunteers, not someone who looks like he’d rather face a firing squad than stand in front of a crowd while people bid on a date with him.
But we need numbers. And Elijah is—well. He’s steady and reliable and people in this town love him. He’d probably bring in decent bids. For the community center. Purely professional reasoning.
“Elijah, I can put you on the setup crew instead if you’d prefer,” I offer, trying to sound reasonable instead of desperate. “I don’t want anyone uncomfortable?—”
“It’s fine.” He meets my eyes, and there’s something in his gaze I can’t quite read. Resigned? Determined? “I’ll do it. The auction.”
“You’re sure?”
He nods once, jaw set. “I’m sure.”
I add his name to my list with a careful check mark, ignoring the way my hand wants to shake slightly. Two volunteers. Two very attractive alpha volunteers who both smell far too good, and why am I even noticing that? I’m on suppressants. I’m always on suppressants.
Except—when did I take my last dose?
This morning. Definitely this morning. Or was it yesterday morning? My schedule’s been so packed lately, and I keep meaning to refill my prescription, but the pharmacy is only open during hours when I’m inevitably running between vendor meetings and venue confirmations and?—
Focus, Tessa. You’re losing the room.
“Fantastic. So that’s Milo and Elijah confirmed.” I scan my spreadsheet, recalculating projected revenue withtwo volunteers already secured. “Now, for the event setup itself, I’ll need teams for decorations, sound system, seating arrangements, catering coordination with Maeve?—”
“I’m not catering anything if you’re going to hover over me with that clipboard,” Maeve says with a warm smile. “I know how to make finger foods, sweetheart. Trust me a little.”
“I don’t hover.”
Multiple people cough “yes you do” into their fists.
“I delegate efficiently,” I correct, defensive. “There’s a difference.”
“Uh-huh.” Maeve’s looking at me with that gentle omega wisdom that sees everything. “When’s the last time you ate something that wasn’t coffee?”
“Coffee isn’t food.”
“That’s not an answer.”
River Brooks raises his hand from where he’s sitting with Bea Wilson and the rest of her pack. He’s got that golden-retriever energy that makes you want to like him even when he’s being annoying. “I’ll help with setup. I’m good with building stuff.”
“Brooks Hardware has a great track record with our events,” I acknowledge, making a note. “Thank you, River.”
“Plus, it’ll give me something to do while Ben hides from you in his garage.”
The room laughs again. My jaw tightens.
“Ben Wilson is not hiding from me,” I say evenly. “He’s busy running a business.”
“Right. That’s why he literally fled when he saw your clipboard.” Bea’s grinning, brown curls bouncing as she leans forward. “My brother’s many things, but subtle isn’t one of them.”
“Maybe he just forgot something in his truck,” I try.
“Or maybe he’s terrified you’ll add him to your bachelor auction list,” Milo suggests, voice warm with amusement. “Can’tblame the guy. You are kind of intimidating when you’ve got that clipboard.”
“I am not intimidating.” My pen is clicking rapid-fire now. “I’m organized. There’s a difference.”
“Intimidatingly organized,” someone mutters.
“Moving on.” I flip to the next page in my binder with more force than necessary. “Setup day is the thirteenth. I’ll need volunteers there at six a.m. sharp for?—”
